The South-East Asia region (SEAR) contributes the highest proportion of neonatal deaths to the global burden. Almost 40 percent of the 5 million newborn deaths occur in countries of the SEAR. With the aim of starting a regional networking initiative, a meeting of the experts from the member countries of the Region was organized in November 1998 at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Experts from Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India took part. Representatives of WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and Population Council also attended the meeting.
The participants made presentations on the newborn care status of their respective countries. Keynote addresses were delivered by the WHO representatives.
Three groups deliberated upon recommendations pertaining to newborn care, training and research. These recommendations were discussed and approved at the plenary discussion. It was recommended that a regional networking mechanism in the form of a Regional Neonatal Network Forum be established.
The proceedings and recommendations are available as a monograph ‘Newborn Care in South-East Asia Region: status and priorities’.
For recommendations click here
South-East Asia Regional Consultation on improving newborn health was organized jointly by WHO SEARO, BASICS II/USAID in collaboration with WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO- CC) for training and research in newborn care, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi from 1-5 April 2002 in New Delhi, India. There were 58 participants in the consultation. The participants comprised of Director Generals of Health Services and Senior Programme Managers from nine out of 10 countries in the region, staff from WHO-HQ, Regional and Country Offices, BASICS II, USAID, UNICEF, Saving Newborn Lives (SNL) of Save the Children Foundation USA, DFID, PATH, CARE India, John Snow International (JSI) Nepal, Save the Children Foundation USA, Kangaroo Foundation, representatives from WHO collaborating centers, experts from community based organizations and office bearers of professional societies. The Regional Director, SEA Regional office of WHO, inaugurated the consultation. The consultation comprised of country presentations, innovative experiences in the countries of the Region, panel discussions and group discussions. It provided an opportunity for exchange of experience amongst the partners and with the countries. A resolution was passed during the consultation.
For recommendations click here .
